How To Plant Buxus Microphylla For A Dense Hedge

Correct spacing is the single most important factor in how a Buxus hedge looks long term.
Get it right and you get a tight formal hedge that looks intentional and expensive.
Get it wrong, and you end up with uneven gaps, slow closure and years of corrective trimming.

At Quickhedge, we almost exclusively plant Buxus Microphylla, and after many years of installations across New Zealand we follow one spacing rule almost without exception.

Our Recommended Buxus Spacing (Up to 400mm Tall)

3 plants per meter
Approx. 330mm gaps between plants

This spacing consistently produces:

👉 Faster hedge closure

👉 Strong side-to-side knitting

👉 Dense growth from low down

👉 A uniform, formal finish

This is the spacing we use for most Buxus hedges intended for borders, pathways, front gardens and formal lines.

Why Close Spacing Matters for Buxus

Buxus does not form a great hedge by being “given space.”
It forms a great hedge through controlled competition.

When planted close together:

👉 Plants compete gently for light

👉 Growth is directed inward, not outward

👉 The hedge knits together earlier

👉 Density forms naturally without aggressive pruning

This is how Buxus achieves its classic, crisp look.

What Happens When Buxus Is Spaced Too Far Apart ?

Wider spacing often looks fine on day one but problems appear later:

👉 Each plant behaves like an individual shrub

👉 Gaps take much longer to close

👉 Growth becomes uneven and bulbous

👉 Heavy trimming is needed to force density back in

👉 The hedge can look patchy for years

In short: wide spacing delays results and increases maintenance.

Why We Almost Always Use 3 Per Meter

Over time, we’ve tested:

2 per metre

2.5 per metre

Mixed spacing

Wider planting “to save money”

The outcome is consistent:

3 plants per meter produces the best hedge, the fastest and with the least long term work.

It’s not about selling more plants, it’s about delivering a hedge that actually performs the way people expect a Buxus hedge to perform.

Day Of Planting Expectations

When planted at the correct spacing:

👉 Plants may look close, this is intentional

👉 The hedge will still look neat and structured

👉 Early knitting begins within the first growing season

Buxus is a long term hedge but correct spacing dramatically shortens the time between planting and that finished “formal hedge” look.

Spacing, Trimming & Long Term Shape

Correct spacing also makes trimming easier:

👉 Light, regular trims maintain shape

👉 No need to cut back hard to fix gaps

👉 Hedge stays compact instead of expanding outward

This is why most well known formal gardens plant Buxus closer rather than wider.

Summary: The Spacing Rule We Stand By

For Buxus Microphylla up to 400mm tall:

👉 3 plants per meter

👉 Approx. 330mm gaps

👉 Encourages density, uniformity and a premium finish

👉 This spacing gives you the best balance of:

👉 appearance

👉 growth behaviour

👉 ease of maintenance

👉 long-term structure

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